PAF Mirage Crashes Near Vehari - Pilots Safe

[Abbas Ali]

Cockpit canopy seen lying near boundary wall of camouflaged oil depot storage tank.

A two-seat Mirage III of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after experiencing technical problem crashed near Basti Ratta Tibba in Luddan Mandi area of Vehari District. Both pilots ejected safely using Martin-Baker PRM4 seat. PAF operates variants of Mirage III and Mirage V aircraft.

The aircraft on a routine training flight from/to PAF Base Rafiqui - Shorkot crashed in an open agricultural field without causing any loss of life or property on the ground.


Aircraft wreckage in an open agricultural field


Both pilots ejected safely.

Abbas

[Amaad Lone]

Mirage entered service with PAF in 1967, or 58 years ago.

The newest Mirages were bought by Pakistan in 1981-82. it makes them 43 years old.

PAF has bought out Mirages for spares from Lebanon, Australia, France, and other sources.

I wonder if there was ever a war, how will these Mirages face newer technology aircraft??

[Charliedelta11]

I wonder if there was ever a war, how will these Mirages face newer technology aircraft??

I think you know the answer to that

[AP-BGL]

As per information on Social Media, the ill-fated Mirage is serial no. 73-303. The same that also carried out landings and take off on Motorway.

[Abbas Ali]

^ Thank you Adnan.


October 2020 photo of PAF No. 25 "Eagles" Squadron Mirage IIIDP (aircraft serial number 73-303) starting takeoff roll on Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2).

Abbas

[TAILWIND]

............
I wonder if there was ever a war, how will these Mirages face newer technology aircraft??

These can and did a lot for the role these are meant for. Have been through multiple upgrades with modern avionics, systems, sensors and armament. Nonetheless PAF Mirage fleet is nearing its retirement from active service to be replaced with even better platform.
Sleep tight tonight, your air force is awake

[TomcatTask]

The mirage 3 is essentially a bomb truck, can deliver some ordinance. Even the IAF have similar role aircaft in the form of jaguars and their mirages.